Twisting ring



June 6, 1967 K. c. CHILPAN 3,323,300

TWISTING RING Filed March 10, 1965 United States Patent 3,323,300 TWISTING RING Kurt C. Chilpan, Seneca, S.C., assignor to Maremont Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 438,544 Claims. (Cl. 57-119) This invention relates to the art of spinning and twisting yarns and more especially to an improved traveler and a novel twisting ring for accommodating the traveler. Although the ring shall be hereinafter described as a twisting ring, it should be understood that such term is employed in its broadest sense and is intended to include spinning rings as well,

Heretobefore, various attempts have been made to control and stabilize the position of travelers during their flight as by increasing the bearing surface between the ring and traveler, however, these have been only partially successful inasmuch as the final position of the traveler is still subject to a balancing of various forces such as, for example, the tension of the balloon formed by the yarn or the tension exerted when winding the yarn onto the bobbin. A change in any one of such forces results in the traveler repositioning itself to a dilferent stable position. This has a deleterious effect on both the ring and traveler resulting in increased wear on each and increased breakage of the traveler. Further, due to such shifting of the traveler, it has been impractical to employ a traveler that would fit closely to the profile of the ring.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to overcome the above difficulties by providing a novel twisting ring having a web and a top flange provided with an enlarged inner bearing portion on which the traveler bears located in a plane generally above the plane of the outer flange portion whereby the longitudinal axis of the traveler will decline downwardly and outwardly thus providing a low center of gravity of the traveler with respect to the inner bearing area so as to ride on the outer flange portion in one of two positions thereby providing a positive contact with the ring at two separate points and thus assuring that the traveler will run in a predetermined fixed position, not affected by variation of the abovementioned forces.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ring and traveler combination in which the traveler is stable in flight, wherein turning around various axes is greatly reduced or eliminated entirely.

It is also an object of the invention to employ a traveler having a short developed length thereby providing a closer fit to the twisting ring than was possible heretofore thus insuring full employment of the inner bearing portion.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a twisting ring having an enlarged area between the separated bearing surface for easy passage of the yarn between the close fitting twisting ring and traveler as well as to permit unwanted lint accumulation on the traveler to pass to the outer leg of the same for removal, as by a lint clearer. The employment of such an enlarged area between the bearing surfaces is important in that it permits the use of a short traveler which operates with the abovementioned low center of gravity and further permits full utilization of the bearing surfaces by eliminating the necessity of cutting away a portion of the same for passage of the yarn therebetween.

It is a still further object of the invention to employ a traveler having an increased cross section resulting in increased life of the traveler.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the accompanying drawings in which:

Patented June 6, 1967- FIG. 1 is a transverse section of the ring and associated parts with the bobbin and traveler being shown in elevation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective illustration, in section, of a traveler and ring according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section of a ring according to the invention illustrating the traveler in one running position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section of a ring according to the invention illustrating the traveler in another running position.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the spinning or twisting ring generally indicated by the numeral 20 is mounted on a holder 21 which is in turn secured in the upper face of the ring rail 23 of a spinning or twisting frame and has a substantially C-shaped traveler 22 slidably mounted thereon between which the yarn Y passes prior to being wound on the bobbin B. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the traveler contacts the ring 20 at two spaced points thereby assuring running of the traveler in a predetermined fixed position which will be more fully explained hereafter.

The twisting ring 20 includes an upstanding annular web 24 and a top flange having an enlarged radially inwardly extending portion 26 and a reduced radially outwardly extending portion 32. The radially inwardly extending portion is preferably provided with a semicircular traveler running or bearing surface 28 having a radius R and a straight undersurface 30 adjoining the bearing surface 28 and the web 24. The radially outwardly extending portion 32 is of reduced thickness and includes a generally semi-cylindrical outer traveler bearing surface 34 formed by radius r, which is approximately one-half the radius R, and a straight undersurface 36 adjoining the bearing surface 34 and the web 24. It is important to note that the center of curvature of the bearing surface 28 is vertically offset above the center of curvature of the hearing surface 34, as indicated at x in FIG. 3, for reasons which will be more fully set forth below.

- The upper surface of the flange generally declines downwardly and outwardly from the termination of the inner bearing surface 28 to the outer bearing surface 34. More specifically, the upper surface of the flange is provided with an enlarged recess between the bearing surfaces providing ample clearance for passage of the yarn Y between the traveler and the ring. This recess is important in that in addition to providing ample clearance for passage of the yarn, it also permits full utilization of the surface 28 as a bearing area for the traveler as well as the use of a small close fitting traveler which runs at a low center of gravity for reasons more fully set forth below. Such recess also permits undesirable accumulations of lint on the traveler to move outwardly along the traveler due to centrifugal force in order that the lint may be removed by a clearer or other conventional means which are not illustrated. The recess is formed by a first surface 38 forming a yarn abutment which slopes abruptly downwardly from the bearing surface 28 at a substantial angle which may be approximately 45 as illustrated although the' exact angle may vary dependent upon the range of yarn counts being processed. It has been found, for example, that fine counts require an angle considerably less than 45. The surface 38 merges with a second surface 40 which preferably slopes at a small angle toward and adjoins the outer bearing surface 34, however, the same may be horizontal if desired. The yarn abutment surface 38 is located less than half the radial width of the top flange from the inner bearing surface 28 so as to assure that the travel 22 Will incline downwardly into the desired two point contact with the ring. The specific location of this surface may be varied as desired, however, it

has been found that best results are obtained when the upper extremity 39 of the surface 38 is located along the radial width of the flange approximately 25 percent of said width from the inner bearing surface 28.

Although the yarn passage recess has been defined as being formed by two intersecting surfaces 38 and 40, it should be understood that the same may be formed in other ways as by an arcuate configuration wherein a portion of the arcuate surface functions as an abutment for the yarn Y.

The substantially C-shaped travel 22 includes an inner arcuate leg portion 42 hearing on surface 28 and a similar opposed arcuate outer leg portion 44 which slidingly engages surface 34 with the leg portion 42 and 44 terminating in opposed horns 46 and 48, respectively, which are spaced from the flanges 26 and 32 as well as the web 24. The developed length of the traveler is substantially less than in prior art devices and the radius of leg portion 42 is substantially equal to the radius R of inner bearing surface 28, thus assuring a substantially conforming fit between these surfaces. The radius r of outer bearing surface 34 is substantially less than that of the leg portion 44, thus providing for tangential contact between these opposed surfaces. Preferably, the mass of the traveler is increased in order to provide additional stability and to assure that it will assume the desired two point contact with the ring substantially as illustrated in FIG. 3, however, it has been found that the traveler will perform satisfactorily and maintain this position if the mass remains essentially the same as heretofore since the developed length of the same has been reduced. Other advantages of increasing the mass of the travel are increased heat transfer and increased cross section resulting in extended travel life.

As pointed out earlier, the center of curvature of the bearing surface 28 is axially upwardly offset with respect to that of bearing surface 34. Such offset relationship of those surfaces insures that the longitudinal axis of the traveler will extend downwardly and outwardly at a predetermined angle, dependent upon the distance x rather than being horizontal. This results in the center of gravity of the traveler being a substantial distance below the main portion of the inner bearing surface 28, which was not the case in prior art arrangements, and along with the added mass of the traveler provides positive means for assuring continuous stable operation at a two point contact.

Although the traveler 22 has been described as being of increased mass wherein the same will assume a low operating position, one may, if desired, employ a traveler of decreased mass in order that upon reaching operating speed, the mass of the traveler will be overcome by centrifugal force. At this time, the traveler will attempt to level itself from its downwardly inclined position of FIG. 3 and will rise to the operating position illustrated in FIG. 4 which is axially offset above the operating position assumed by a travel of heavier mass. It should be noted, however, that the longitudinal axis of the traveler, when in the FIG. 4 position, is still inclined downwardly thus insuring that the low center of gravity of the traveler is maintained and further that the outer leg portion 44 is still in sliding tangential contact with an opposed position of the outer bearing surface 34, although the point of contact between these two surfaces has been shifted downwardly from that illustrated in FIG. 3.

The employment of spaced contact or bearing surfaces on the ring provides a marked improvement in operation over prior art arrangements wherein a single bearing surface, which was usually enlarged for obvious reasons, was normally employed. As was pointed out earlier, such prior arrangements were quite unstable and were subject to tipping about a number of various axes as a result of a variation in the forces acting upon the traveler. These axes may be identified as the axis which extends along the length of the traveler, the axis extending vertically from the traveler, and the axis extending at a tangent to the same. Upon a change in any of the forces acting upon the traveler, it would become unstable and tip about the above identified axes until a point of equilibrium was reached at which time the traveler would once again become stable.

My invention, with its two point contact, overcomes the above disadvantages since it eliminates tipping movement around the axes L and V once the desired operating speed has been attained. The low center of gravity is important in eliminating movement of the traveler about the vertical axis V. Further, movement about the tangential axis T is substantially reduced by the employment of the two transversally spaced contact points.

Another advantage of my ring and traveler arrangement resides in the fact that due to the stability of the traveler, a build up and retention of natural fiber waxes on the ring is permitted thus serving as a lubricant which assists in running at high speeds. Due to the ever changing operating position of the traveler in earlier arrangements, the retention of such a build up in the amounts desired was not possible.

Having described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that other constructions and configurations, obvious to those skilled in the art, are incorporated within the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. A twisting ring having an upstanding annular web, a top flange on said web having inwardly and outwardly extending portions of arcuate cross section, said inner portion being larger and substantially higher than said outer portion, the upper medial surface of said flange including a first surface forming a yarn abutment extending downwardly adjacent said arcuate inwardly extending portion and a second surface extending from said first surface to said outwardly extending end portion, whereby an enlarged yarn passageway is formed in said upper medial surface of said flange,

said first surface forming said yarn abutment being positioned from the innermost surface of said inwardly extending portion less than one-half the width of said flange.

2. A twisting ring as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the upper extent of said first surface is positioned from the innermost surface of said inwardly extending portion approximately one-fifth the width of said flange.

3. A twisting ring having a substantially vertically disposed annular web portion and a top flange on said web having inwardly and outwardly extending portions, said inner and outer portions being substantially semicircular in cross section, the radius of curvature of said inner portion being substantially twice that of said outer portion,

' the center of curvature of said inner portion being located in a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane extending through the center of curvature of said outer portion, the upper medial surface of said flange including a first surface forming a yarn abutment extending downwardly at an angle of at least 45 adjacent said arcuate inwardly extending portion and a second surface extending from said first surface to said outwardly extending end portion, whereby an enlarged yarn passageway is formed in said upper medial surface of said flange,

said first surface forming said yarn abutment being positioned from the innermost surface of said inwardly extending portion less than one-half the width of said flange.

4. A twisting ring as set forth in claim 3 wherein, the upper extent of said first surface is positioned from the innermost surface of said inwardly extending portion approximately one-fifth the width of said flange.

5. A combination twisting ring and traveler, said ring including an upstanding annular web, a top flange on said web 9. A twisting ring having an upstanding annular web, having inwardly and outwardly extending portions a top flange on said web having inwardly and outwardly of arcuate cross section, said inwardly extending extending portions of arcuate cross section, said inner .portion being larger than said outwardly extending portion being larger and substantially higher than said portion with the upper surface of the former being 5 outer portion, the upper medial surface of said flange inpositioned substantially above the upper surface of cluding the latter, the upper medial surface of said flange a first surface forming a yarn abutment extending downbeing inclined downwardly from the inwardly extendwardly adjacent said arcuate inwardly extending poring portion to the outwardly extending portion, a tion and first surface abruptly sloping downwardly and out- 10 a second surface extending from said first surface to wardly toward said outer end portion and a second said outwardly extending end portion, whereby an substantially horizontal surface extending from said first surface to said outer end portion,

said traveler having inner and outer inwardly curved leg portions extending over said inner and outer flange portions, the developed length of said traveler being such that the curvature of said inner leg portion substantially conforms to the surface of said inner flange portion and said outer leg portion is in sliding contact with said outer flange portion whereby said traveler slidingly engages said flange in a positive, two point contact.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the first surtwisting a textile yarn the combination with a generally C-shaped traveler providing a pair of generally similar axially extended opposed arcuate running surfaces positioned inwardly adjacent the horns of said traveler of a twisting ring having an upstanding annular web with an upper flange having radially inwardly and outwardly extending flanges of arcuate cross section said inner flange having an inner running surface havface is positioned from the innermost surface of said inwardly extending portion less than one-half the length of said flange.

7. A combination twisting ring and traveler,

said ring having a substantially vertically disposed annular web portion and a top flange on said web having a radius substantially equal to the radius of the opposed arcuate running surfaces of said traveler and ing inwardly and outwardly extending portions, said said outer flange having an outer running surface havinner and outer portions being substantially semiing a radius substantially less than the radius of the circular in cross section, the radius of curvature of opposed arcuate running surfaces of said traveler said inner portion being substantially twice that of the maximum dimension between said flanges being said outer portion, the center of curvature of said less than the maximum dimension between said arcuinner portion being located in a horizontal plane ate running surfaces providing tangential contact above the horizontal plane extending through the between said outer flange running surface and the center of curvature of said outer portion, the upouter of said arcuate running surfaces of said traveler per medial surface of said flange being inclined in one of two running positions axially spaced from downwardly and outwardly toward said outer end one another, with said inner flange running surface portion forming an enlarged yarn passage between and the inner of said running surfaces of said traveler said upper portion and said traveler, and including being in contact with one another, a first surface abruptly sloping downwardly and outsaid horns being spaced from said flanges in each of wardly toward said outer end portion and a second said running positions, and said yarn being engaged surface extending therefrom gently sloping downby an inner surface of said traveler and by said ring wardly and outwardly to said outer end portion, closely adjacent to but spaced from said contacting said traveler having inner and outer inwardly curved inner running surface at substantially less than half leg portions extending over said inner and outer the radial width of said flange from the inner sur-v flange portions, the developed length of said traveler face thereof. being such that the curvature of said inner leg por- References Cited as. tre t i-s irz s 33%.:t 212 t2 nepr1n,a gprln in sliding contact with said outer flange portion 1161697 11/1915 Lannfng 57 119 whereby said traveler slidingly engages said flange 1,392,067 9/1921 Lannmg 57-119 in a positive, two point contact. 5 9 7/1952 m 57-119 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the first surface 3011301 12/1961 Gnshm et 57 119 is positioned from the innermost surface of said inwardly extending portion less than one-half the length of said flange.

FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner. A. J. SIDOTI, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TWISTING RING HAVING AN UPSTANDING ANNULAR WEB, A TOP FLANGE ON SAID WEB HAVING INWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF ARCUATE CROSS SECTION, SAID INNER PORTION BEING LARGER AND SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN SAID OUTER PORTION, THE UPPER MEDIAL SURFACE OF SAID FLANGE INCLUDING A FIRST SURFACE FORMING A YARN ABUTMENT EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY ADJACENT SAID ARCUATE INWARDLY EXTENDING PORTION AND A SECOND SURFACE EXTENDING FROM SAID FIRST SURFACE TO SAID OUTWARDLY EXTENDING END PORTION, WHEREBY AN ENLARGED YARN PASSAGEWAY IS FORMED IN SAID UPPER MEDIAL SURFACE OF SAID FLANGE, SAID FIRST SURFACE FORMING SAID YARN ABUTMENT BEING POSITIONED FROM THE INNERMOST SURFACE OF SAID INWARDLY EXTENDING PORTION LESS THAN ONE-HALF THE WIDTH OF SAID FLANGE. 